NASHVILLE, TN (CMA
Music Festival Website) - Thousands of fans from around the globe journey each June to Nashville for CMA
Music Festival, the "crown jewel of Country
Music festivals" according to USA Today. But this year, fans in 10 cities won't have to wait.
As a precursor to the main event, "Crisco Presents The Road To CMA Music Festival" will visit 10 Wal-Mart stores in as many cities in April, bringing a taste of the legendary festival direct to the fans. In each city, two to three Country Music artists will perform in the Wal-Mart parking lot before meeting the fans and signing autographs - a hallmark of CMA Music Festival since it began in 1972 as Fan Fair.
"Thousands of fans travel from all 50 states and more than 20 countries to Nashville for CMA Music Festival each year," said Tammy Genovese, CMA Chief Operating Officer. "With 'The Road to CMA Music Festival,' we are taking some of our brightest stars directly to the fans so they can experience for themselves the powerful relationship between our fans, the artists and the music. And of course, we want them to join us in Nashville in June to experience the Festival on a large scale, too."
Artists participating in the tour include Jason Aldean (left), Steve Azar, Jeff Bates, Blue County, John Corbett, Emerson Drive, Jace Everett, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town, Lila McCann, Jamie O'Neal, Danielle Peck, Julie Roberts, Ray Scott and Mark Wills.
The markets include Atlanta, Ga.; Charlotte, N.C.; Dallas, Texas; Fayetteville, Ark.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Orlando, Fla.; Raleigh, N.C.; San Antonio, Texas; Tampa, Fla.; and Tulsa, Okla. Before each performance, the events will feature family activities for kids of all ages, including karaoke and free giveaways from CMA Music Festival, Crisco, Greased Lightning and Southwest Airlines. One local Country radio station (or two stations, in the case of Atlanta and Jacksonville) in each market will be involved in promoting the events.
Family-friendly entertainment is also the foundation of 2006 CMA Music Festival, which takes place Thursday-Sunday, June 8-11. The event features more than 70 hours of live musical performances; more than 30 hours of autograph signings; family activities; celebrity sports competitions; and much more, earning its reputation as the Country Music fan's dream destination.
"Crisco Presents the Road to CMA Music Festival" tour dates are as follows. The pre-event activities will begin at 4:00 PM with the concerts beginning at 7:00 PM at all locations. Artists are subject to change.
TOUR INFO
4/3/06 - San Antonio
Wal-Mart
1515 N. FM 1604 East
San Antonio, TX 78258
Featuring: Danielle Peck, Julie Roberts
Radio Partner: KAJA
4/4/06 - Dallas
Wal-Mart
1901 Preston Road
Plano, TX 75093
Featuring: Jace Everett, Julie Roberts
Radio Partner: KTYS
4/6/06 - Tulsa
Wal-Mart
220 S. State Hwy. 97 S.
Sand Spring, OK 74063
Featuring: Blue County, Emerson Drive
Radio Partner: KWEN
4/11/06 - Raleigh
Wal-Mart
12873 U.S. Highway 70
West Clayton, NC 27520
Featuring: Jeff Bates, Ray Scott
Radio Partner: WQDR
4/12/06 - Charlotte
Wal-Mart
169 Norman Station Blvd.
Mooresville, NC 28117
Featuring: Steve Azar, Jeff Bates, Ray Scott
Radio Partner: WSOC
4/13/06 - Atlanta
Wal-Mart
1550 Riverstone Parkway
Canton, GA 30114
Featuring: Jeff Bates, Mark Wills
Radio Partners: WKHX, WYAY
4/19/06 - Jacksonville
Wal-Mart
11900 Atlantic Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32225
Featuring: Jason Aldean, Little Big Town
Radio Partners: WQIK, WROO
4/20/06 - Tampa
Wal-Mart
3801 Tampa Rd.
Oldsmar, FL 34677
Featuring: Little Big Town, Jamie O'Neal
Radio Partner: WQYK
4/21/06 - Orlando
Wal-Mart
4400 13th Street
St. Cloud, FL 34769
Featuring: Lila McCann, Jamie O'Neal
Radio Partner: WWKA
4/25/06 - Fayetteville
Wal-Mart
2875 W. 6th Street
Fayetteville, AR 72704
Featuring: John Corbett, Jamey Johnson
Radio Partner: KKIX
"Crisco Presents The Road To CMA Music Festival" is sponsored by Crisco, Greased Lightning and Southwest Airlines.
For up-to-the-minute information about tickets to 2006 CMA Music Festival in Downtown Nashville, travel information, schedules, artist appearances and more, visit www.CMAfest.com and sign up for CMA Exclusive, a periodic e-mail featuring artist interviews and the latest news on CMA events.
CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. CMA Board member Tony Conway is the Executive Producer of CMA Music Festival. Premiere Radio Networks is the official radio broadcaster. Promotional partners include Crisco, Greased Lightning, Southwest Airlines and Wrangler. Fan Fair is a registered trademark of CMA. Crisco is a registered trademark of The J.M. Smucker Company.
